Effects Of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Research Articles

Neuroprotective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells in mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Mediating role of gut microbes and their metabolites via the Microbiome-Gut-Brain axis

The intricacy and multifaceted nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) necessitate therapies that target multiple aspects of the disease. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) emerge as potential agents to mitigate AD symptoms; however, whether their therapeutic efficacy involves modulation of gut microbiota and the microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA) remains unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the effects of three distinct MSCs types—derived from the umbilical cord (UCMSC), dental pulp (SHED), and adipose tissue (ADSC)—in an APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. In comparison to saline control, MSCs administration resulted in a significant reduction of behavioral disturbances, amyloid plaques, and phosphorylated tau in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, accompanied by an increase in neuronal count and Nissl body density across AD-afflicted brain regions. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we identified partial restoration of gut microbial balance in AD mice post-MSCs treatment, evidenced by the elevation of neuroprotective Akkermansia and reduction of the AD-associated Sphingomonas. To examine whether gut microbiota involved in MSCs efficacy in treating AD, SHED with better anti-inflammatory and gut microbiota recovery effects among three MSCs, and another AD model 5 × FAD mice with earlier and more pathological proteins in brain than APP/PS1, were selected for further studies. Antibiotic-mediated gut microbial inactivation attenuated MSCs efficacy in 5 × FAD mice, implicating the involvement of gut microbiota in the therapeutic mechanism. Functional analysis of altered gut microbiota and targeted bile acid metabolism profiling revealed a significant enhancement in bile acid variety following MSCs therapy. A chief bile acid constituent, taurocholic acid (TCA), was orally administered to AD mice and similarly abated AD symptoms. Nonetheless, the disruption of intestinal neuronal integrity with enterotoxin abrogated the ameliorative impact of both MSCs and TCA treatments. Collectively, our findings substantiate that MSCs confer therapeutic benefits in AD within a paradigm that primarily involves regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites through the MGBA.

Ameliorative effects of mesenchymal stromal cells on senescence associated phenotypes in naturally aged rats

BackgroundAging is a multifaceted process that affects all organ systems. With the increasing trend of population aging, aging-related diseases have resulted in significant medical challenges and socioeconomic burdens. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), due to their antioxidative stress, immunoregulatory, and tissue repair capabilities, hold promise as a potential anti-aging intervention.MethodsIn this study, we transplanted MSCs into naturally aged rats at 24 months, and subsequently examined levels of aging-related factors such as β-galactosidase, superoxide dismutase, p16, p21 and malondialdehyde in multiple organs. Additionally, we assessed various aging-related phenotypes in these aged rats, including immune senescence, lipid deposition, myocardial fibrosis, and tissue damage. We also conducted a 16 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) analysis to study the composition of gut microbiota.ResultsThe results indicated that MSCs significantly reduced the levels of aging-associated and oxidative stress-related factors in multiple organs such as the heart, liver, and lungs of naturally aging rats. Furthermore, they mitigated chronic tissue damage and inflammation caused by aging, reduced levels of liver lipid deposition and myocardial fibrosis, alleviated aging-associated immunodeficiency and immune cell apoptosis, and positively influenced the gut microbiota composition towards a more youthful state. This research underscores the diverse anti-aging effects of MSCs, including oxidative stress reduction, tissue repair, metabolic regulation, and improvement of immune functions, shedding light on the underlying anti-aging mechanisms associated with MSCs.ConclusionsThe study confirms that MSCs hold great promise as a potential anti-aging approach, offering the possibility of extending lifespan and improving the quality of life in the elderly population.

Influence of mesenchymal stromal cells of different origins on behavioural reactions of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

A new direction in cell therapy for ischemic stroke has been the use of mesenchymal stromal cells, which have shown a positive impact on functional changes in the central nervous system due to their neuroprotective effects, reduction of ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury, inhibition of ischemia-reperfusion-induced apoptosis, and restoration of motor function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells of different origins, their lysate, and citicoline on the functional state of the central nervous system in rats with experimental brain ischemia-reperfusion. The study considered the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly, human and rat adipose tissue, rat embryonic fibroblasts, as well as mesenchymal stromal cell lysate and citicoline on the emotional and behavioural responses of sexually mature Wistar rats (3-4 months) weighing 160-190 g. The behavioural responses of rats were studied using the open field test on the 7th and 14th days of the experiment; the following behavioural acts were recorded: ambulation (locomotion), climbing, rearing, and grooming. The significance of differences was determined using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. It was established that after ischemia-reperfusion, animals with control pathology showed a significant decrease in the duration of episodes of ambulation in peripheral and central squares, vertical locomotor activity, and exploratory activity compared to the sham-operated group. In rats that received citicoline and transplanted human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal cells, a significant increase in the duration of episodes of horizontal locomotor activity was observed compared to other types of stem cells and the control. Intravenous administration of rat embryonic fibroblasts increased the emotional activity of the experimental animals. The least impact on locomotor and adaptive exploratory activity in rats with ischemia-reperfusion was registered in groups of animals that received mesenchymal stromal cells from human and rat adipose tissue, as well as mesenchymal stromal cell lysate. The practical significance of the study lies in the search for the most effective class of stem cells with neuroprotective properties for the creation of an injectable drug for intravenous transplantation in the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke

Proliferative Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Neuroblastoma Cell Lines: Are They Tumor Promoting or Tumor Inhibiting?

BackgroundNeuroblastoma is a common pediatric malignancy with poor survival for high-risk disease. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have innate tumor-homing properties, enabling them to serve as a cellular delivery vehicle, but MSCs have demonstrated variable effects on tumor growth. We compared how placental MSCs (PMSCs) and bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) affect proliferation of neuroblastoma (NB) cells in vitro. MethodsIndirect co-culture assessed proliferative effects of 18 MSCs (early-gestation PMSCs (n = 9), term PMSCs (n = 5), BM-MSCs (n = 4) on three high-risk NB cell lines (NB1643, SH-SY5Y, and CHLA90). Controls were NB cells cultured in media alone. Proliferation was assessed using MTS assay and measured by fold change (fc) over controls. PMSCs were sub-grouped by neuroprotective effect: strong (n = 7), intermediate (n = 3), and weak (n = 4). The relationship between MSC type, PMSC neuroprotection, and PMSC gestational age on NB cell proliferation was assessed. ResultsNB cell proliferation varied between MSC groups. BM-MSCs demonstrated lower proliferative effects than PMSCs (fc 1.18 vs 1.44, p < 0.001). Neither gestational age nor neuroprotection significantly predicted degree of proliferation. Proliferative effects of MSCs varied among NB cell lines. BM-MSCs had less effect on CHLA90 (fc 1.01) compared to NB1643 (fc 1.33) and SH-SY5Y (fc 1.20). Only NB1643 showed a difference between early and term PMSCs (p = 0.04). ConclusionEffects of MSCs on NB cell proliferation vary by MSC source and NB cell line. BM-MSCs demonstrated lower proliferative effects than most PMSCs. MSC neuroprotection was not correlated with proliferation. Improved understanding of MSC proliferation-promoting mechanisms may provide valuable insight into selection of cells best suited as drug delivery vehicles. Level of EvidenceN/A. Type of StudyOriginal Research.

Stable Housekeeping Genes in Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, and Amniotic Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Approaches.

The therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has been described for a variety of disorders, including those affecting musculoskeletal tissues. In this context, the literature reports several data about the regenerative effectiveness of MSCs derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and an amniotic membrane (BMSCs, ASCs, and hAMSCs, respectively), either when expanded or when acting as clinical-grade biologic pillars of products used at the point of care. To date, there is no evidence about the superiority of one source over the others from a clinical perspective. Therefore, a reliable characterization of the tissue-specific MSC types is mandatory to identify the most effective treatment, especially when tailored to the target disease. Because molecular characterization is a crucial parameter for cell definition, the need for reliable normalizers as housekeeping genes (HKGs) is essential. In this report, the stability levels of five commonly used HKGs (ACTB, EF1A, GAPDH, RPLP0, and TBP) were sifted into BMSCs, ASCs, and hAMSCs. Adult and fetal/neonatal MSCs showed opposite HKG stability rankings. Moreover, by analyzing MSC types side-by-side, comparison-specific HKGs emerged. The effect of less performant HKG normalization was also demonstrated in genes coding for factors potentially involved in and predicting MSC therapeutic activity for osteoarthritis as a model musculoskeletal disorder, where the choice of the most appropriate normalizer had a higher impact on the donors rather than cell populations when compared side-by-side. In conclusion, this work confirms HKG source-specificity for MSCs and suggests the need for cell-type specific normalizers for cell source or condition-tailored gene expression studies.

Characterization of disease-specific alterations in metabolites and effects of mesenchymal stromal cells on dystrophic muscles.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin-encoding gene that leads to muscle necrosis and degeneration with chronic inflammation during growth, resulting in progressive generalized weakness of the skeletal and cardiac muscles. We previously demonstrated the therapeutic effects of systemic administration of dental pulp mesenchymal stromal cells (DPSCs) in a DMD animal model. We showed preservation of long-term muscle function and slowing of disease progression. However, little is known regarding the effects of cell therapy on the metabolic abnormalities in DMD. Therefore, here, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the immunosuppressive effects of DPSCs and their influence on DMD metabolism. A comprehensive metabolomics-based approach was employed, and an ingenuity pathway analysis was performed to identify dystrophy-specific metabolomic impairments in the mdx mice to assess the therapeutic response to our established systemic DPSC-mediated cell therapy approach. We identified DMD-specific impairments in metabolites and their responses to systemic DPSC treatment. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the metabolomics-based approach and provide insights into the therapeutic effects of DPSCs in DMD. Our findings could help to identify molecular marker targets for therapeutic intervention and predict long-term therapeutic efficacy.

Evaluation of the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells from different sources on human chondrocyte proliferation

Objective: to study the effect of a conditioned medium of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from different sources on human chondrocyte proliferation.Materials and methods. To confirm functional activity, chondrocytes were cultured in a cartilage cell-engineered construct (CEC), including 5 × 105 cells and 5 mg of tissue-specific matrix from decellularized cartilage. The conditioned medium was obtained after culturing MSCs derived from human adipose tissue (AT), MSCs derived from the pulp of primary teeth and MSCs isolated from umbilical cord-derived Wharton’s jelly in a complete cell growth medium (CCGM). To evaluate the effect of MSC-derived secretome on chondrocyte proliferation, the conditioned medium, diluted 1 : 1 with CCGM, was added to wells containing chondrocytes. The effect of MSCs on human chondrocyte proliferation was studied by indirectly coculturing cells in CCGM using Transwell inserts. 5 × 104 MSCs were applied to the bottom of the lower chamber, and 5 × 104 human chondrocytes and 5 mg of matrix were placed in the upper chamber. Chondrocyte proliferation was assessed at days 7 and 14 by DNA quantification. Interleukin-6 content was determined as a marker of secretory activity of MSCs in the conditioned medium. The morphology of the samples was studied using histological staining methods.Results. The ability of chondrocytes to produce cartilage-specific extracellular matrix was confirmed when forming cartilage CEC with tissue-specific matrix in a chondrogenic differentiation medium. When comparing the effect of the conditioned medium of MSCs obtained from different sources on the growth of human chondrocytes in vitro, increased proliferation was observed in all samples compared to controls. Indirect co-culture of MSCs with chondrocytes as part of CEC showed increased DNA amount in all samples at day 14, with the amount of DNA in the sample with MSC conditioned medium significantly higher than the control.Conclusion. Studies on the effect of MSC conditioned medium on chondrocyte proliferation in 2D culture indicate a possible regenerative potential of MSCs for cartilage tissue repair. Within the scope of this work, we did not identify significant differences in the effect of secretome derived from MSCs that were obtained from different sources on chondrocyte proliferation. However, additional in vivo studies are warranted in the future.

Comparative influence of mesenchymal stromal cells of different origin on DNA fragmentation of neuronal nuclei during ischemia-reperfusion of the somatosensory cortex of the rat brain

Relevance: One of the main causes of stroke in acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) is ischemia, which begins with the formation of an acute neuronal energy deficit with subsequent activation of the "ischemic cascade" reactions that lead to irreversible damage to nervous tissue. Aim: To compare the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of different origin and human MSCs from Wharton's jelly lysate on neuroapoptotic changes in the somatosensory cortex of the rat brain in conditions of model ischemia-reperfusion (IR) performed by ductal cytoflowmetry. Materials and methods: The experiment was carried out using 165 four-month-old male Wistar rats weighing 160-190 g, which were subjected to bilateral 20-minute transient ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the internal carotid arteries. After modeling the pathology, the animals were injected into the femoral vein (iv) with MSCs obtained from umbilical cord Wharton jelly, human and rat adipose tissue in the amount of 106 cells/animal. Other groups of experimental animals were intravenously injected with fetal rat fibroblasts in the amount of 106 cells/animal (in 0.2 ml of physiological solution) and MSCs from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly lysate in a dose of 0.2 ml/animal. Control animals were injected intravenously with 0.2 ml of physiological solution. The level of DNA fragmentation in the nuclei of neurons of the somatosensory cortex of rats on the 7th day after ischemia-reperfusion was studied by flow cytometry. The research was carried out on a flow cytometer "Partech РАС" of the company Partech, Germany. The statistical significance of the differences was assessed by Student's t-test. Results: The study noted an increase in the level of fragmented DNA in a group of animals with IR by 3.25 times 7 days after model IR. The performed treatment showed that in groups with transplanted MSCs of various origins and MSC lysate from human Wharton's jelly cells, the intensity of DNA fragmentation in the nuclei of neurons in rat brain somatosensory cortex reliably decreased in1.8-2. 6 times compared with the group of control pathology (IR without treatment). Conclusions: Experimental 20-minute IR of the brain of rats forms a persistent focus of necrotic and apoptotic death of neurons, which is manifested by an increase in fragmented DNA (3.25 times). Intravenous transplantation of MSCs of various origin and lysate of MSCs from human Wharton jelly has a therapeutic effect in model IR, which is manifested by a decrease in the processes of neuro-destruction and neuroapoptosis in the area of ischemic brain damage Such effect is a link to the polytrophic mechanism of MSCs neuro-protective action.

Possibilities for nasal septum perforation healing: from the past to the future

The article discusses application of various methods for nasal septum perforation healing (NSP). The types and options of surgical treatment in the historical aspect are described. These operations have a number of disadvantages, such as: the complexity of the material taking, the risk of inflammatory reaction and scar formation, as well as other postoperative complications leading to a relapse of the disease. Effectiveness of various allo- and autografts that used to restore the defect of the nasal septum is observed. Publications of regenerative medicine methods to eliminate perforation of the nasal septum are analyzed. Implantation of stromal cells, scaffolds; growth factors or their combinations is used. Such approaches make possible the restoration of the damaged tissue due to targeted and controlled cell differentiation, accompanied by the synthesis of the intercellular matrix and a decrease in inflammatory processes. In preclinical and clinical studies, special attention is paid to stromal cells. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of bone marrow, adipose and other tissues are most often used. The regenerative effects of mesenchymal stromal cells are realized through the secretion of a wide range of anti-inflammatory mediators, cytokines and trophic factors, the positive effects of cell therapy of this type of cells should not be associated with the differentiation of implanted cells into cells of damaged tissues. The use of various materials for the treatment of NSP is also described with an assessment of their effectiveness and future prospects.

CSF2RB overexpression promotes the protective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells against ischemic heart injury.

Aims: The invasive intramyocardial injection of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) allows for limited repeat injections and shows poor therapeutic efficacy against ischemic heart failure. Intravenous injection is an alternative method because this route allows for repeated, noninvasive, and easy delivery. However, the lack of targeting of MSCs hinders the ability of these cells to accumulate in the ischemic area after intravenous injections. We investigated whether and how the overexpression of colony-stimulating factor 2 receptor beta subunit (CSF2RB) may regulate the cardiac homing of MSCs and their cardioprotective effects against ischemic heart failure. Methods and Results: Adult mice were subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) or sham operations. We observed significantly higher CSF2 protein expression and secretion by the ischemic heart from 1 day to 2 weeks after MI/R. Mouse adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADSCs) were infected with adenovirus harboring CSF2RB or control adenovirus. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled ADSCs were intravenously injected into MI/R mice every three days for a total of 7 times. Compared with ADSCs infected with control adenovirus, intravenously delivered ADSCs overexpressing CSF2RB exhibited markedly increased cardiac homing. Histological analysis revealed that CSF2RB overexpression significantly enhanced the ADSC-mediated proangiogenic, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic effects. More importantly, ADSCs overexpressing CSF2RB significantly increased the left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac contractility/relaxation in MI/R mice. In vitro experiments demonstrated that CSF2RB overexpression increases the migratory capacity and reduces the hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis of ADSCs. We identified STAT5 phosphorylation as the key mechanism underlying the effects of CSF2RB on promoting ADSC migration and inhibiting ADSC apoptosis. RNA sequencing followed by cause-effect analysis revealed that CSF2RB overexpression increases the expression of the ubiquitin ligase RNF4. Coimmunoprecipitation and coimmunostaining experiments showed that RNF4 binds to phosphorylated STAT5. RNF4 knockdown reduced STAT5 phosphorylation as well as the antiapoptotic and promigratory actions of ADSCs overexpressing CSF2RB. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time that CSF2RB overexpression optimizes the efficacy of intravenously delivered MSCs in the treatment of ischemic heart injury by increasing the response of the MSCs to a CSF2 gradient and CSF2RB-dependent STAT5/RNF4 activation.

The effect of mesenchymal stromal cells of various origins on morphology of hippocampal CA1 area of rats with acute cerebral ischemia

Every year, about 150,000 strokes occur in Ukraine, and more than 100,000 people die from the consequences of stroke and other circulatory disorders in the brain. So far, promising experimental data on the treatment of neurological dysfunction using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been obtained. Purpose: to characterize the impact of MSCs of various origins, lysate of Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs and citicoline on the dynamics of destructive changes in the hippocampal CA1 area of rats with model of acute cerebral ischemia according to morphometric data. Materials and methods. An experiment was performed using 4-month-old male Wistar rats, which were subjected to transient bilateral 20-minute ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the internal carotid arteries. After modeling, the animals were injected intravenously with Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs, human and rat adipose-derived MSCs at a dose 106 cells/animal. Other groups were intravenously injected with rat fetal fibroblasts at a dose of 106 cells/animal and lysate from Wharton’s umbilical cord MSCs at a dose of 0.2 mL/animal. Control animals were injected with 0.2 mL of saline. The last group of rats received a single dose of the reference drug citicoline at a dose of 250 mg/kg. On the 7th and 14th day, the total number of neuron nuclei per 1 mm2 brain section was counted in the hippocampal CA1 area, and the ratio of the number of intact neuron nuclei and nuclei with changes (karyorrhexis and karyopyknosis) was determined. Results. The transplantation of MSCs, lysate of Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs, or citicoline contributed to a greater value of the number of nuclei in the hippocampal CA1 area, and the number of nuclei that did not undergo pathological changes also increased. The transplantation of Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs had the most positive effect. The number of neuron nuclei per 1 mm2 in the hippocampal CA1 area in this group of animals approached the number of nuclei in the group of sham-operated animals. At the same time, the number of nuclei that did not undergo pathological changes significantly exceeded the number of nuclei with signs of destruction. Conclusion. A significant increase in the number of neurons without signs of pathological changes was observed in all experimental groups of rats during the modeling of ischemic brain injury after the administration of various types of studied mesenchymal stromal cells, lysate or citicoline. The most positive result in the hippocampal CA1 area was achieved after the administration of Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs.

The effects of mesenchymal stromal cells and platelet-rich plasma treatments on cutaneous wound healing.

Cellular therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been used as a treatment for skin wounds. Previous evidence has shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) may improve skin wound healing. In contrast, contradictory effects have been reported by using PRP treatment on skin wound healing. However, there is evidence that PRP constitutes an excellent scaffold for tissue engineering. In this work, we aim to study the effect of MSC on skin wound healing. We used an experimental murine model of full-thickness wounds. Wounds were treated with human bone marrow-MSC contained in a PRP clot. Untreated or PRP-treated wounds were used as controls. Wound healing was evaluated by macroscopic observation and histological analysis at day 7 post-wounding. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to detect the presence of epithelial progenitor cells (EPC) and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). MSC/PRP implantation induced a significant wound closure and re-epithelialization as compared with the controls. Increase of CD34+ cells and bFGF was observed in the wounds treated with MSC/PRP. Our results show that MSC included in PRP clot induce cutaneous wound repair by promoting re-epithelialization, migration of EPC and expression of bFGF. PRP alone does not exert a significant effect on wound healing. Our results support the possible clinical use of MSC in PRP scaffold as potential treatment of skin wounds.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Overexpressing Farnesoid X Receptor Exert Cardioprotective Effects Against Acute Ischemic Heart Injury by Binding Endogenous Bile Acids (Adv. Sci. 24/2022)

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In article number 2200431, Wenjun Yan, Ling Tao, and co-workers report a novel strategy for improving the curative effect of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy for myocardial infarction that is achieved by bile acid- arnesoid X receptor (FXR) axis activation. FXR overexpression in MSC facilitates the response of MSC to endogenous bile acid signals, thus enhancing the survival and paracrine angiogenesis of MSC.

Exosomal miR-132-3p from mesenchymal stromal cells improves synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline in vascular dementia

Background/aimsVascular dementia (VD) results in cognition and memory deficit. Exosomes and their carried microRNAs (miRs) contribute to the neuroprotective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells, and miR-132-3p plays a key role in neuron plasticity. Here, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of MSC EX and their miR-132-3p cargo in rescuing cognition and memory deficit in VD mice.MethodsBilateral carotid artery occlusion was used to generate a VD mouse model. MiR-132-3p and MSC EX levels in the hippocampus and cortex were measured. At 24-h post-VD induction, mice were administered with MSC EX infected with control lentivirus (EXCon), pre-miR-132-3p-expressing lentivirus (EXmiR-132-3p), or miR-132-3p antago lentivirus (EXantagomiR-132-3p) intravenously. Behavioral and cognitive tests were performed, and the mice were killed in 21 days after VD. The effects of MSC EX on neuron number, synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine density, and Aβ and p-Tau levels in the hippocampus and cortex were determined. The effects of MSC EX on oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-injured neurons with respect to apoptosis, and neurite elongation and branching were determined. Finally, the expression levels of Ras, phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3β, and Tau were also measured.ResultsCompared with normal mice, VD mice exhibited significantly decreased miR-132-3p and MSC EX levels in the cortex and hippocampus. Compared with EXCon treatment, the infusion of EXmiR-132-3p was more effective at improving cognitive function and increasing miR-132-3p level, neuron number, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic spine density, while decreasing Aβ and p-Tau levels in the cortex and hippocampus of VD mice. Conversely, EXantagomiR-132-3p treatment significantly decreased miR-132-3p expression in cortex and hippocampus, as well as attenuated EXmiR-132-3p treatment-induced functional improvement. In vitro, EXmiR-132-3p treatment inhibited RASA1 protein expression, but increased Ras and the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β, and decreased p-Tau levels in primary neurons by delivering miR-132-3p, which resulted in reduced apoptosis, and increased neurite elongation and branching in OGD-injured neurons.ConclusionsOur studies suggest that miR-132-3p cluster-enriched MSC EX promotes the recovery of cognitive function by improving neuronal and synaptic dysfunction through activation of the Ras/Akt/GSK-3β pathway induced by downregulation of RASA1.

Conditioned medium of amniotic fluid-derived stromal cells exerts a bone anabolic effect by enhancing progenitor population and angiogenesis.

A cell-free approach utilizing the paracrine effects of mesenchymal stromal cells is receiving attention in regenerative medicine. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of a conditioned medium of amniotic fluid-derived stromal cells (AFSC-CM) on bone metabolism. In mice, intraperitoneal injections of AFSC-CM increased bone mass and enhanced bone turnover. The precursor populations of myeloid and mesenchymal lineages, as well as endothelial cells in bone marrow, were also augmented by AFSC-CM administration. In an in vitro culture experiment, AFSC-CM increased osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, but had no significant effect on the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts. However, AFSC-CM administration dramatically accelerated the migration and tube formation of endothelial cells, and a cytokine array showed that AFSC-CM contained many angiogenic factors. These results indicate that AFSC-CM exerts a bone anabolic effect by changing the bone marrow microenvironment, including angiogenesis and precursor expansion. Therefore, ameliorating marrow angiogenesis is a potential therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration, for which AFSCs can be a good cellular source.

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on the Mortality of Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Promising Therapy

Purpose Sepsis and septic shock are the major causes of death in intensive care units. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in sepsis and septic shock patients. Methods Ten patients were enrolled in the study. Adipose-derived MSC infusions were given (1 × 106/kg, on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th days of therapy) together with standard therapy. Before the MSC applications, blood samples were collected for cytokine assessment (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10). The clinical and laboratory improvements were recorded and compared with control groups selected retrospectively. The clinical trial was registered on 16.03.2022 with the registration number NCT05283317. Results In the study group, the ages of patients ranged from 22 to 68 years, and APACHE II scores ranged from 14 to 42. In the control group, ages ranged from 22 to 80 years and their APACHE II scores were between 14–35. The survival rate in the study group was 100% on the 14th day whereas it was 70% on the 28th day. A significant decrease in the SOFA score (adjusted), clinical, and laboratory improvements were observed during the MSC administration. However, no significant cytokine level changes were observed. In the control group, the survival rate of 20 patients was 70% on the 14th day, whereas 60% was on the 28th day. While deaths were observed in the control group in the first week of treatment, deaths in the MSCs group were observed between the 15th and 28th days. Conclusion MSCs treatment may have a positive impact on the survival rates of sepsis during the early phase. However, further randomized controlled studies with a large group of patients are needed. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05283317.

The effect of mesenchymal stromal cells ın the microenvironment on cancer development

Inflammatory signals secreted from the tumor microenvironment are thought to promote tumor growth and survival. It has been reported that stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment have similar characteristics to tumor-associated cells. In addition miRNAs play critical roles in various diseases, including cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of co-culture of cancer cells and stromal cells isolated from normal and malignant breast tissue on each other and the possible effects of miRNAs on these interactions. The characterized stromal cells were co-cultured with an MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line. The proliferation capacity of the experimental groups was evaluated using the WST-1 assay. The expression of breast cancer-specific miRNAs and related genes were assessed by real-time PCR. ELISA assay was performed to determine the concentration of some cytokines and chemokines. We found that the microenvironment plays an important role in the development of cancer, confirming the changes in the expression of oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNA and their target genes after co-culture with malignant stromal cells. As a result of the studies, specific gene expressions of related signaling pathways were detected in correlation with miRNA changes and the effects of tumor microenvironment on tumorigenesis were revealed in detail. miRNAs have been shown to play an important role in cancer development in recent studies. The idea that these small molecules can be used in diagnosis and treatment is becoming stronger day by day. We believe that new treatment approaches involving the tumor microenvironment and using miRNAs as markers are promising.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy Improves Refractory Perianal Fistula in Crohn's Disease: Case Series Clinical Interventional Study.

Objective Perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease (CD) are the main challenges in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Some of the fistulas are refractory to any therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a novel promising modality for the treatment of fistulizing CD. Materials and Methods This case series clinical interventional study was conducted from 2014 to 2017 at Shariati Hospital, an IBD referral center in Tehran, Iran. Refractory adult patients with CD who had draining perianal fistulas were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined by a colorectal surgeon and the fistula imaging studies were performed by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After autologous bone marrow (BM) aspiration and MSCs isolation, the cells were cultured and passaged under current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) conditions. Four intra-fistula injections of cells, each containing 40×106 MSCs suspended in fibrin glue, were administered by an expert surgeon every 4 weeks. Procedure safety, feasibility and closure of the perianal fistulas at week 24 were assessed. Clinical examination and MRI findings were considered as the primary end points. Results In total, 5 patients (2 males and 3 females) were enrolled in this study. No adverse events were observed during the six-month follow-up in these patients. Both the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Perianal Disease Activity Index (PDAI) scores decreased in all patients after cell injections and one patient achieved complete remission with closure of fistulas, discontinuation of fistula discharge, and closure of the external opening. ConclusionLocal injection of MSCs combined with fibrin glue is potentially a safe and effective therapeutic approach for complex perianal fistulas in patients with CD.

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived From Endometriotic Lesions on Natural Killer Cell Function.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that presents with ectopic endometriotic lesions. Reduced immunosurveillance of these lesions has been proposed to be playing a role in the pathology of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are found in ectopic lesions and may decrease immunosurveillance. In the present study, we examined if MSC contribute to reduced immunosurveillance through their immunosuppressive effects on natural killer (NK) cells. Stromal cells from endometriotic ovarian cysts (ESCcyst) and eutopic endometrium (ESCendo) of women with endometriosis and their conditioned medium were used in co-cultures with allogeneic peripheral blood NK cells. Following culture, NK cells were examined phenotypically for their expression of activating, inhibitory, maturation, and adhesion receptors and co-receptors, as well as the degranulation (CD107a) marker and the immunostimulatory (interferon-γ) and immunosuppressive (transforming growth factor beta 1 and interleukin-10) cytokines. Moreover, NK cell cytotoxicity was examined using chromium 51 release killing assays. There were no differences between ESCcyst and ESCendo regarding their effects on NK cell cytotoxicity in both conditioned medium and direct co-culture experiments. Additionally, there were no differences between ESCcyst and ESCendo regarding their impact on NK cells’ phenotype and degranulation in both conditioned medium and direct co-culture experiments. Although there were no differences found for DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1) and NKp44, we found that the expression of the NK cell ligand CD155 that binds DNAM-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) that binds NKp44 was significantly less on ESCcyst than on ESCendo. These findings were not supported by the results that the expression of the known and unknown ligands on ESCcyst for DNAM-1 and NKp44 using chimeric proteins was not significantly different compared to ESCendo. In conclusion, the results suggest that ectopic MSC may not contribute to reduced immunosurveillance in endometriosis through their inhibitory effects on NK cells. This suggests that NK cell inhibition in the pelvic cavity of women with endometriosis develops due to other factors.

The effect of mesenchymal stromal cells of various origins on mortality and neurologic deficit in acute ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Stroke is a global epidemic issue and the second leading cause of death in the world and in Ukraine. According to official statistics, every year 100-110 thousand Ukrainians suffer acute cerebrovascular disorders. One third of such patients are of working age, up to 50 % will have a disability, and only one in ten will fully return to full life. So far, promising experimental data on the treatment of neurological dysfunction using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been obtained. The aim of study is to compare the effect of MSCs of different origins on mortality and neurologic deficit in rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). Materials and methods. Transient bilateral 20-minute occlusion of internal carotid arteries was modeled in male Wistar rats aged 4 months and animals were injected intravenously with MSCs derived from human umbilical cord Wharton's-jelly (hWJ-MSC), human and rat adipose tissue. Other groups of experimental animals were injected intravenously with rat fetal fibroblasts and cell lysate from hWJ-MSC. The last group of rats received Citicoline at a dose of 250 mg/kg as a reference drug. Control animals were injected intravenously with normal saline. The cerebroprotective effect of therapy was assessed by mortality and neurologic deficit in rats on the McGraw's stroke index score. Results. After 12 hours of observation in the crucial period in the development of experimental acute cerebrovascular disorders with the administration of hWJ-MSC, mortality was only 10 % against 45 % of animals in the control group. The use of rat fetal fibroblasts reduced the mortality of animals compare to the control group by an average of 25 %. CIRI in rats caused severe neurologic deficits: paralysis, paresis, ptosis, circling behavior. On the 7th day of observation in the control group of animals, the mean score on the McGrow's stroke index indicated severe neurological disorders. On the 14th day of observation in this group of animals there was no complete recovery of lost central nervous system functions. Compared with the control group of animals, all the treatment agents for acute CIRI (MSCs of various origins, MSC's lysate and Citicoline) contributed to a significant regression of neurologic deficit. Conclusions. Thus, transplantation of human Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs and rat fetal fibroblasts reduced mortality and alleviated neurological symptoms in rats with experimental ischemic stroke. hWJ-MSC, rat fetal fibroblasts, and rat adipose-derived MSCs reduced the incidence of neurological disorders better than Citicoline, which was accompanied by a regression of neurologic deficit dynamics on the 14th day of follow-up. The ability of stem cells of different origins to reduce neurologic deficit indicates the feasibility of their use in experimental acute cerebral ischemia.